DayJet Continues Slower Expansion

In the wake of its inability to gain $40 million in financing and its announcement that it was slowing its expansion, DayJet Corporation added Jacksonville and Sarasota, Fla. to its DayPort™ service network. Related Story Starting today, DayJet™ members can fly “Per-Seat, On-Demand” jet service between 45 community airports across Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi and South Carolina when they begin or end their travel in Jacksonville, Sarasota or 10 other DayPort airports.
DayJet is standing by its business model saying its members and the number of frequent flyers have proved the model, but the condition of the capital markets have forced it to slow its growth for at least six months. It made the point to say that it was not contracting its already extensive network of 33 DaySpots and 12 DayPorts in the Southeast.
With the addition of Jacksonville and Sarasota – which rank among the nation’s top 20 job growth markets – 62 percent of Florida’s population now lives within 35 miles of a DayPort airport, providing business travelers a new level of productivity and convenience in regional travel. Since the launch of its “Per-Seat, On-Demand” jet service last October, DayJet has opened nine DayPort airports across Florida – from Pensacola and Tallahassee in the panhandle to the northeast coast of Jacksonville; from Gainesville and Lakeland in central Florida to the southwest coast of Sarasota and Naples; and places in between.
“Jacksonville and Sarasota are among the nation’s leading business communities for job and economic growth,” said Ed Iacobucci, DayJet president and CEO. “We are committed to increasing the regional connectivity options of key business communities across the Southeast. With 62 percent of Florida’s 18 million residents now living within 35 miles of a DayPort, it is easier than ever for Floridians to enjoy our state’s great quality of life, conduct business across the Southeast, and be home in time for dinner with their family.”

Jacksonville
DayJet will operate from fixed based operator (FBO) Sheltair Aviation Services located at Jacksonville International Airport (JAX). The city and its six surrounding counties make up Northeast Florida’s First Coast—the 55th largest metropolitan area in the U.S. with a total population of 1.3 million and 50 million consumers located within 600 miles of Jacksonville. Consistently ranked among the top 10 best places to live and do business by Inc. and Money magazines, more than 30,000 new jobs have been created by companies expanding or relocating to the area since 2000.
Jacksonville Mayor John Peyton stated: “As Jacksonville continues to play an ever increasing role in the national and international economy, I am excited that businessmen and women who are looking for travel options to locations across Florida and the Southeast will have another option in DayJet.”
“DayJet opens the door to new opportunities,” said Customer Debbie Skeans, owner and senior advisor of Jacksonville-based Sperry Van Ness/Imperial Realty. “I am much more likely to take on an assignment in a nearby remote location because I have the flexibility of taking DayJet instead of driving or flying commercially. DayJet allows me to embrace new business without sacrificing my work/life balance. I can take something that would be just a little bit too inconvenient before and say yes because I am now able to get in and out quicker and do my business more efficiently.”

Sarasota
In Sarasota, DayJet will operate from FBO Rectrix Aerodrome Centers, Inc. located at Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport (SRQ). With a population approaching 700,000 Sarasota and Manatee Counties lead the nation in job growth. Consistently ranked among America’s best small cities and best places to do business, Sarasota was named to Inc. magazine’s list of top boomtowns and Forbes magazine’s list of top cities for jobs in 2007.
“DayJet is the ideal complement to the more than 10 commercial airlines currently operating out of Sarasota-Bradenton International airport,” said Sarasota Mayor Lou Ann R. Palmer.
Manatee Mayor Wayne Poston added, “It is home-grown innovation like this that contributes to our continued growth and development.”
DayJet customer Chad Roffers, president and co-founder of SKY Sotheby’s International Realty in Sarasota said: “Thanks to DayJet, we have been able to close a significant amount of incremental business based on the ability for me to be in multiple markets on the same day. DayJet helps me get where I need to go frequently and in a practical way that allows me to maximize my time.”